Ex-Titans Shine for USL Teams

July 26, 2005

Seattle, Wash., and Portland, Ore. -
The Seattle Sounders pulled through in the final minutes of the game to finalize the score at 1-0 Saturday night at Qwest Field against the visiting Minnesota Thunder. Rookie midfielder (Cal State Fullerton product) Brent Whitfield's winning goal in the 83rd minute pushes Seattle (30 points) into sole possession of fourth place past Vancouver (27 points) in USL standings. And the Portland Timbers shut out Sunderland FC behind the goalkeeping of former Titans Josh Saunders and Sam Reynolds

FORMER TITAN WHITFIELD BEATS THUNDER
July 26, 2005- Seattle, WA - In a battle for possession at home, the Seattle Sounders pulled through in the final minutes of the game to finalize the score at 1-0 Saturday night at Qwest Field against the visiting Minnesota Thunder. Rookie midfielder (Cal State Fullerton product) Brent Whitfield's winning goal in the 83rd minute pushes Seattle (30 points) into sole possession of fourth place past Vancouver (27 points) in USL standings.

FORMER TITAN GOALIES BLANK SUNDERLAND FC
July 26, 2005- Portland, OR - A crowd of 15,376 fans watched the Portland Timbers hold Sunderland AFC of the English Premier League to a scoreless draw Saturday night at PGE Park. The attendance mark was the largest crowd for the Timbers in five seasons, breaking the record of 13,351, set Aug. 29, 2003, versus El Paso.

All 16 eligible Timbers were used in the exhibition, which was the first against a Premiership opponent since the NASL Timbers lost 1-0 to West Bromwich Albion in 1981

. In the opening half, Byron Alvarez nearly put the Timbers ahead just eight minutes into the match when he broke free of the Sunderland defense in the box, but his half-volley shot was saved over the bar by goalkeeper Ben Alnwick.
Sunderland got a chance of its own two minutes later when striker Jon Stead, a recent signing from Blackburn Rovers, hit a turnaround shot off the outside netting.

In perhaps the highlight of the game, Portland goalkeeper Josh Saunders kept the sides level with two spectacular saves in the 39th on shots from Stephen Elliott and Daryl Murphy. Saunders blocked the first attempt, but the rebound fell to Murphy, whose effort was kick-saved and later cleared.

Saunders spent the first half in goal and Sam Reynolds came on at halftime to combine for the shutout.

The Timbers' best chance of the match came in the first half, when Alvarez was taken down in the box and the Timbers were awarded a penalty kick. Alvarez stepped up to the spot, but his attempt sailed over the crossbar and the match remained scoreless.

In the second half, Lee Morrison found himself alone for an uncontested header on goal but his attempt bounced wide.